Brave or Barbaric?

In two minds, but decided in the end, to go to the second of this week's bullfights here in Mourão, for the sake of more understanding of the culture here, where bullfighting is still a very strong tradition. Not sure if you have to be good looking to be a bullfighter, but these certainly were... this one is parading round the ring, having hats (which he threw back) and roses thrown at him, after doing his (extremely brave and beautiful) stuff.

Unlike in Spain, the bulls are not usually killed in the ring. Another difference is that the main event is a bullfighter on horseback - first extra; also, the show ends with the forcados, who tackle the bull bare-handed and wrestle it to the ground - the extra is the front man of eight facing the bull.

Here is a description of Portuguese bullfighting. At this stage, I don't feel qualified to pronounce on this ancient tradition; our job, for now, is to observe and learn. Glad we went, for that insight, but don't want to go again...

Plus, we got quite damp and very cold - notice all the umbrellas. Have to say, the atmosphere was very friendly, though.